Published at 21st of November 2020 06:12:39 PM
Chapter 96: 96
The congress resumed as soon as dawn broke . But some nobles weren’t present . Fabian’s heart wasn’t at ease because Sagan, the Duke of Metis, was the leader of that flock .
“It’s just my illusion, or are there so many vacant seats?”
The innocent- Prime Minister quickly stepped forward, bowing his head . “Please forgive me, Your Majesty, but the Duke Metis said he’d be late because he wasn’t feeling well . ”
“Huh, the Emperor is also here . If he’s feeling sick, he’s better to go back to his estate . ” Fabian sighed . The nobles all shut their mouth at his wistful words .
Also, the power of Duke Metis couldn’t be underestimated, so they didn’t dare to disagree with him . If the two of them turned into enemies, those who stood in the middle could only see the bloodshed .
“Fine, let’s leave those who can’t attend . ”
An unpleasant situation could have been turned into a beneficial one .
“I will convene the Imperial Senate . ”
For a moment, there was a murmur among the nobles . The Imperial Senate could only summon together when there was a major event in the Empire . And the last time they were called, it was at the time of Fabian’s legalization as the Emperor .
“Send the edict to the family of five wise elders at once . ”
The Senate was appointed by the first Imperial Emperor . At that time, each of the five wise elders was given a role . Then their family descendants carried that tradition, taking over the task from generation to generation .
The Senate-elders had great honor in the Empire . However, like the ‘wise’ word that pinned on their name . Those elders were only involved in the ‘work of ‘virtue . ’ According to the First Emperor’s decree, those elders, including his family, couldn’t attend the parliament or participate in political affairs . It was to prevent the power-bias from going to one place .
“Your Majesty, you must have a good reason to summon the Senate-elders . ” The Prime Minister brought out his words cautiously .
“It’s my orders,” Fabian answered coldly .
“But Your Majesty, first of all, we’ve never called the senate-elders without a clear reason . ” The other Minister intervened as well . Besides, it was impossible to summon the Senate elders in only a day or two .
“Now, is there anything clearer than my orders?” Fabian raised his body from the throne and glared at his Minister with sharp eyes . “Or should I get permission from you one by one before I give my orders?”
“How dare we …… but it’s not the case, for politeness we’d better give a clear reason before calling the Senate . “
“You mean, in other words, I force to call them without knowing the etiquette?”
A cold sweat spilled on the Prime Minister’s back .
“No, Your Majesty . ”
Everyone knew that Fabian was an arrogant Emperor who liked to force his will . But he never once broke the rules or was tainted by corruption . In fact, all of his orders always had justifiable reasons, but this time the ministers didn’t seem willing to back down .
“Convening Imperial Senate is a very serious matter . So, when they arrive, I will declare it as an edict . Well, if anyone thinks I’m wrong, speak now . ”
Nobody in the room dared to open their mouths . They could die young before Fabian’s eyes, and they also had to bet the fate of their family . Therefore, there was no need to oppose it even if they didn’t know the reason . There was still an opportunity to raise objections after the Senate began discussing the issue in person .
“There’s no one? Then, I will issue an edict . ”
They all agreed reluctantly—those who were quick-witted thought that the absence of Duke Metis might be related to this .
“Then, move on to today’s agenda . ”
The nobles’ faces turned white with fatigue . After being forced to attend the meeting from yesterday until morning, they wondered if there was anything left to discuss . But Fabian didn’t care and still rummaged the papers in his hand .
“Looking at last year’s records, there’s still no improvement in tax collection . ”
“The problem is that we don’t know the exact number of people, and we don’t have a systematic method . ” The face of the finance minister was visibly tired . There was no perfect measure of tax collection in any country or any era . He couldn’t understand why the Emperor raised such a chronic topic at this point . So, the tax problem would exist forever . In other words, Fabian was trying to put a huge burden on all the nobles at congress now .
“Then, I want to see the nobles’ ability in this congress until real reform plan is made . ”
“Your Majesty, I beg you……it’s not a short-term agenda . How long will this congress be…… . ”
“It’s until you come up with a clear improvement plan that I agree with . ”
Apparently, this was Fabian’s revenge on them for not agreeing to his idea of summoning the senate elders earlier . But no one could refuse the Emperor’s self-righteousness .
“Well, I hope you have a good plan . ” Fabian turned around casually . In the first place, he didn’t really care and only acted as he pleased .
As soon as the Emperor disappeared, the assembly hall was filled with sighs .
“It’s all … what’s going on here?”
“By all means, Your Majesty’s orders is nonsense . ”
Someone almost realized that .
“It seems that we are doomed to stay locked in this hall until His Majesty is satisfied . ”
Everyone nodded, agreeing at someone’s words, and flung themselves into the chair . In particular, the senior ministers had been complaining of the hardships since yesterday .
“I don’t know why he wants to call the senate-elders, but…… I think there will be a big surprise . ”
All nodded their heads at the Prime Minister’s wording with mixed feelings .
****
“What a sight . ” Fabian sighed unpleasantly . The more he thought about it, the more displeased he became with Duke Metis’ behavior .
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Sagan didn’t see him as the Emperor at all . The view of the empty chairs in the meeting hall was on his purpose . With this, all became clear, what would happen to the Empire if that person had more power .
“Your Majesty, I have something to say . ” Serus managed to open his mouth .
“……I can already guess . ” Fabian crumpled his face . Seeing Serus’ expression, it seemed it wasn’t good news .
“Is Empress-mother here?”
“Yes . She’s waiting for you in your palace . ”
Then it was . Whatever Sagan did, it was proof that he still kept his attention to Fabian . He was trying to annoy Fabian with the only weapon he had . It was Fabian’s mother .
“And……Lady Stella Metis is coming, too . ”
Now Fabian could see their purpose clearly . The Metis family still hadn’t given up the Empress position .
Fabian closed his eyes for a moment when his headache struck in . Why didn’t he feel it before? Looking back, it had been going on for a long time ago . Still, when Fabian tried to protect Evelyn and his child, he finally could feel the fatigue .
“I’m really tired… . . ”
His low self-talk rang in silence .
***
Monica, the Empress-mother, and her niece, Stella, waited for Fabian side by side in the inner palace-living room .
Since Monica knew her son’s nature so well, she already gave up halfway and took a bite of her long hookah . The other guest, Stella, couldn’t express herself, trying to swallow her nervousness .
“Well……there’s no need to get nervous . ” Monica spewed smoke before talking to her niece .
“Yes?” Stella opened her eyes wide and looked at Monica in wonder .
“You can’t survive in the Imperial family if you stick to trivial matters . If you worry too much and are nervous, it means you’re the only one who’s going to fail . ”
These Imperial men were indeed indifferent . But in Monica’s situation, nothing was different from her own family, the Metis .
Monica had no sisters, and she grew up under pressure to become an Empress and gave birth to a successor from an early age . So, only after the birth of Fabian, could she feel at ease .
“His Majesty is not anyone’s . He can’t be a woman’s husband . If you expect something like that, you’re just going to get hurt . ”
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In a sense, Monica was a wise aunt .
“Being an Empress… it’s just a title to qualify that woman has the right to give birth to this Empire’s successor . And if you succeed, you will become an Empress-mother like me and support your family . That’s all . ”
That was the crucial difference between Monica and Evelyn . Unlike Monica, who already aware of this fact, Evelyn didn’t know anything .
“The former Empress was too naive . I knew it at first sight . It was a face in love . Like a fool . ”
Stella’s feelings suddenly flared up . There was a blush of love that couldn’t be hidden on her cheeks . And Monica just wanted to tell her the truth .
“I think you also won’t last long anyway . The Imperial family is not a place where you can live expecting love from the beginning . ……do you understand what I mean?”
Stella stayed silent and couldn’t answer her aunt’s question .
“Didn’t your older sister teach you?” asked Monica .
It was funny that the Empress’s duty had been pointed out to the younger sister, and her older sister didn’t teach Stella anything .
Stella bit her lips hard before she went on to say, “I’m sorry… … Originally…I’m not a candidate at first, so…… . ”
“Well, actually, you’re still too young when you were picked as the Empress’ candidate . Originally, it’s your sister who should become the Empress . ”
Fabian’s stubbornness, however, had fucked up the whole plan . When the Felice Royal Princess was chosen as the Empress, Stella’s older sister, the former Lady Metis, lost her marriage and married someone else .
“But I’m glad that you’re the youngest . This must be the tough fate of the Metis family . ”
The Emperor’s divorce had changed the situation again . Besides, nearly three years had passed since the Empress’ seat was empty . No matter how stubborn Fabian was right now, he couldn’t postpone it any longer .
“Listen carefully . Someone has to be the Empress anyway, and you’re the only candidate who can fill the spot . ” Monica stared at Stella’s nervousness .
“But, if His Majesty doesn’t like me…… . ”
Smiling, Monica couldn’t stand it and laugh .
“Forget something like ‘love’ now . I’m saying this for you . ”
There had never been a happy or loving moment in Monica’s life . The same thing happened to her son, Fabian as well .
“Stella, there’s just one thing you can think about and hope for . It’s only giving birth to an Emperor’s successor . ”
Stella nodded reluctantly . She looked sad because she couldn’t expect a little affection even if she wasn’t loved .
“Did my words sound heartless?”
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“A little…”
“But His Majesty is more heartless than this . ”
For a moment, Stella had forgotten what to say .
“It’s no different from me, his mother . Or you? Or the former Empress? …… His Majesty is the same as all the Empire’s men . To them, the feeling is something trivial and not important . ”
Monica had an exhausted expression on her face . The only thing that remained for her after living so many years in the Imperial family was a disappointment .
In those long, dry years, Monica lived only waiting for her son to become the Emperor . And when Fabian ascended the throne, in appreciation of her contribution, she eventually lived a free and luxurious life in the Southern Palace .
It was the best life-ending for a woman who lived as an Empress .
“But I heard… … At that time, my sister couldn’t become the Empress because His Majesty was in love with the former Empress… … . ”
“You must have heard wrong,” Monica replied confidently . Fabian was a child who looked like her cold husband, and he even never showed any love to his own mother .
“It’s a good thing,” Stella said with a calm look .
This time, Monica’s expression was a little puzzled .
“What? Because His Majesty is heartless?”
“No, at least he didn’t care for his former Empress . So, he gave her permission to divorce . ”
Huh, this time, Monica spitted out an admiring laugh . Seeing this, she was a daughter who resembled her older brother, Duke Metis . Indeed, Stella was a Lady of Metis . On the contrary, it was Monica who was naively worried about her .
“His Majesty doesn’t have to love me,” said Stella, smiling prettily .
“As long as he doesn’t have a woman, he likes more than me, that’s enough . ”
Stella’s first love was blooming in a slightly weird direction . Monica stared at her and simply nodded . Anyway, she didn’t mean to mind if her niece’s purpose wasn’t wrong .
“You can give birth to His Majesty’s heir . After I see you become the Empress, I can go back to the Southern Palace and live as before, and the glory of Metis will continue . You can do that . ”
“Yes . ” Stella’s eyes sparkled .
Monica seemed to see herself in the past .
Actually, it’s also something useless . But she decided not to say such a thing .
Sooner or later, Stella would realize it by herself .